Tag Archives: palates

>> Body & Soul

TWO SUGARS AND SOME CREAM

Stemming from the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York, Melissa Krueger had the epiphany of Gay Coffee. With a passion for roasting the best java, she created this fun and quirky line of, well, gay coffees. The name says it all, as do the blends such as sensual and dark Red Hanky Roast and medium roasted Stone Butch Breakfast Blend. All roasts are fairly traded and one percent of all profits are donated to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The coffee is priced at $13 for 10 ounces.

PHONE ATTACHMENT

Today people are tied to their phones, but this ZOMM wireless leash makes sure a phone is never lost. The poker-chip sized gadget will alarm when the phone gets far enough away from its owner thanks to a Bluetooth connection. ZOMM also acts as a speakerphone to answer if the phone is out of quick reach and the panic button calls for emergency assistance. This little thing packs quite the big punch. The ZOMM is priced at $99.99.

CUFF IT UP

Bookbinder Darlene Dominguez has taken recycled book leather, flea market finds and vintage buttons and turned them into these beautiful unique cuffs. With an elastic band that pulls it gently around the wrist, these one-of-a-kind pieces are both fabulous accessories and works of art. The cuffs start at $20.

SEXY AND SMART

These essential oil smart boxes also get quite the message across, thanks to Michelle Bardwell. Find ginger and peppermint scents in the Eat Me box, rose and magnolia in the Love Me box and rosewood and tea tree in the Try Me box. All boxes contain either four 10ml bottles of essential oils or five 2ml vials of essential and therapeutic oils. Each is priced at $36.

DRINKS FOR TWO

Some occasions and palates just call for both white and red wine. This dual wine tote makes it easy to bring both, or champagne even. Made with high density, stain- and-pill-resistant German merino wool felt, vegetable tanned leather handles and polished nickel finish for hardware, the tote is not just handy, it’s stylish as well. The tote is priced at $145.

ALWAYS TEA TIME

Taking tea to the next level, Numi’s Enchanted Blossoms Flowering Tea appeals to all the senses. Filled with hand-sewn tea leaves and flowers, the box included a glass teapot and comes in a handmade dark mahogany bamboo case. The flowers begin to blossom when they are steeped. The tea box is as magical as it is elegant. The tea set is priced from $30–$35.

BED OF NAILS

The idea of lying down on more than 8,000 spikes may not sound too appealing, but with the Swedish Halsa wellness mat, the body only reaps benefits. Based on the spiked mats of ancient Indian tradition, this mat stimulates acupressure points which increases circulation, lowers blood pressure and releases physical, mental and emotional blocks. The Halsa wellness mat comes in black, green or purple and is priced at $39.95.

IN A NANO SECOND

Classy and cool, this HEX Vision metal watch band is made for the iPod Nano Gen 6 to be clipped in as the watch face. The band comes in gun metal or silver and takes the predictability out of giving just any ol’ watch. The watchband is priced at $69.95.

BEDAZZLED

Pride goes way posh with this bracelet. It features over 15 carats of fine round sapphires in rainbow colors surrounded in yellow gold. There can only be one word for this — fabulous! The bracelet is priced at $11,700.

Skibell Fine Jewelry, 8411 Preston Road, Ste. 110.214-691-5123.

EAR-GASM

Don’t forget the stocking stuffers. These new iFrogz headphones change the way sound travels in tiny spaces. The chrome-plated Legion model bumps up the high notes and bass lines. The TimbrePro offers deeper bass sounds through a wooden sound chamber. The Transport uses turbine engine design for purer sound on all levels. The TimbrePro and Transport come with a single button remote/microphone for mobile devices and is compatible with Apple, Blackberry and Android. Headphones start
at $24.99.

BUNDLE UP

A quality scarf is a must for any strong wardrobe and Astor + Black’s cashmere collection makes for a stylish accessory. The scarves not only protect in cold weather, but make clear fashion statements in a variety of colors and patterns. Get one for yourself even. The scarves are priced at $150.

POP GOES THE PHONE

s fun as this looks, the POP phone by Native Union also has a distinct purpose. For the chatty Cathies out there, this handset attaches to your smartphone and protects from up to 99 percent of harmful effects of cell phone radiation. In seven bold colors and soft-touch finish, the POP phone is totally for that whimsical hipster who appreciates the irony of nostalgia. The handset attaches to most Mac products and Blackberries. and prices start at $29.90.

THE GIFT OF DENIM

Rufskin is known for making extreme choices in its clothing designs, but when it comes to denim, the sex appeal is out of control. Whether they rethink classic jeans or offer sexy, snug fits, Rufskin’s denim is incomparable. Jeans start at $120.Union Jack, 3920 Cedar Springs Road.214-528-9600.UnionJackDallas.com.

THAT PERSONAL TOUCH

Why not give a one-of-a-kind bottle of wine complete with a personalized label? At Two Corks and a Bottle, customers can bottle their own personal vintage wine with a list of available varietals. The winery will even help out to make it just right. After the blend is done, just add a personal holiday greeting on the label for that special touch. Half batches (about 14 bottles) start at $165.

A DIFFERENT LOOK

Classify this as for the person who has everything. Epic Helicopters takes the holidays to the skies with its Holiday Lights Tour. With tours in Fort Worth and Addison, Santa’s not the only one who gets airspace during the holidays. Epic offers 10 different lights tour variations through Jan. 1. Tours in Fort Worth start at $379; tours in Addison start at $429.